At Avenues for Health, we perform acupuncture daily to promote healing, relieve pain and improve function. Both Dr. Sarah Ferguson and Dr. Pamela Wang have completed the training in Medical Acupuncture for Physicians at UCLA. We utilize acupuncture, traditional western medicine or a combination of both in our treatments. Most of our visits are planned on a weekly or biweekly schedule depending on the condition we are treating. Often when a patient comes in for an acute injury we will do acupuncture that day to aid in pain relief and encourage the healing process.

Dating from the 2nd century, BC, acupuncture uses the energy channels or meridians which traverse the body carrying the vital life force or "chi" throughout the body. The treatment involves insertion of tiny needles at acupuncture points along the channels to stimulate the energy circulation, remove blocks to energy flow and restore energetic balance and organ function. Scientific research has found that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain, which reduce pain, improve energy, and stimulate the body's natural healing abilities. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including digestive disorders (gastritis, irritable bowel, constipation and diarrhea), respiratory disorders (sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma), and neurological and muscular disorders (headaches, neuritis, frozen shoulder, tendinitis, low back pain, osteoarthritis).

Although acupuncture is most commonly used in the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, it has much broader applications. It can be especially beneficial in the urinary, menstrual and reproductive problems we commonly see in a women's health practice. Many patients have reported significant improvement in menopausal symptoms following a treatment. The combination of nutrition, phytoestrogens, herbs and vitamins with acupuncture can be especially helpful to women who choose not to take hormone replacement therapy. All in all, acupuncture can be a powerful and valuable tool in our efforts to relieve symptoms, promote healing and maximize well being.

General Women's Health Care - Menopause and Perimenopause Consultations
Comprehensive Gynecology - Medical Acupuncture
Nutritional and Herbal Therapies - Preventative Medicine
Urinary Incontinence Evaluation and Treatment